“Immensely enjoyable from start to finish, truly a fun game to play”

With Saints Row originally only being available to Xbox 360 gamers, Volition Inc and THQ freely opted to release Saints Row 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) to the open-world. Upon its arrival Saints Row 2 (released 17th October 2008) is said to have massively improved on its predecessor as well as continuing its theme.

Having been released a few years after the original and with Saints Row now being available to PS3 users, there was much speculation as to how Saints Row 2 would be received. But with the recent news of SR2 going platinum, we can safely put those thoughts to rest, as this is a game that is uncannily crass, over exaggerated and extremely fun to play.

Graphics and Presentation

Amongst common ground Saints Row 2 generally follows suit of other open-world games such as Oblivion and Far Cry 2, where it is common to choose mechanisms over graphics. But that’s not to say in this instance that this is a bad thing, as I (for once all in all) agree with the decision made. Although graphically Saints Row 2 isn’t as spectacular as GTA IV, however the overall gameplay wins hands down.

The game sets the scene in it’s introduction; the game starts within the walls of Stilwater’s prison, as news travels of your awakening, prison guards rush to see if what they heard was true. Visually the game resembles earlier RPG titles like True Crime: Streets of LA and won’t really have you ooh-in and ah-ing at how well a job they’ve done with the graphics, but hopefully you’ll give the game the benefit of the doubt, as I did, and won’t be put off in giving this game a fair chance before hastily branding it as GTA’s under achiever.  

Sound

Songs chosen to make up the games soundtrack are skilfully put together and ultimately works well with the sound effects depending on your mission, race or activity and more importantly blends well with your customised character. Radio station playlists are again very similar to GTA’s in some ways and distinctively different in other ways, as I feel there’s more of a variety and flavour added to the mix.

Gameplay

Set five years after the original you find yourself working with a fellow inmate trying to break out of Stilwater’s prison. Here you learn the basics of controlling your character and are given the option to either break out quietly or go out all guns blazing. Being that you’ve been asleep for years you can’t help but choose the option of allowing all those present to be aware of your new found recovery and that your ruthlessness is still intact.

In your absence a lot has changed in Stilwater, with the Saint’s being nothing but a myth, many gang rivals have appeared, taken over what was once yours with no intention of letting you reclaim your territory without a fight. With the Saint’s reputation on the brink you have no choice but to fight your way back and claim what’s instinctively yours.

Once you’ve settled into the game many other things become apparent. Instantly you notice the smoothness of gameplay far different from that which is found in Saints Row, as the mechanics found favour those of GTA IV. The controls are easily picked up allowing you to enjoy all the pleasant little quirks found within the game. Now unlike GTA IV the games plot is not fully set in stone as there are plenty of other things on offer that really help to distinguish the game as its own. As you press select and glance at the mini map you’ll find countless activities all over Stilwater for you to explore, with many becoming available as you earn more respect and accomplish missions.

Alongside the four rival gangs you must overpower, you must also recruit new members to ‘The Saints’. Now this may require you having to do favours for a new member or fiercely having to display your potential, as many are only willing to join if you prove yourself as a worthy leader. As with most open-world games Saints Row 2 ensures that different game modes are available for you to choose as you can either go it alone or team up with others that are online and make your way through the story mode, or simply free roam, killing all with whom your eyes sets sight on.

Another advantage to the game is the multiplayer option which like co-op offers you the chance to compete against others during activities or missions. The games story hopelessly holds no real precedents in the game but on the other hand doesn’t really take itself too seriously either, which effectively instils itself as the moraI-free substitute to GTA IV. With its limitless customisation, to which I really found to be an added bonus, you may find yourself reminiscing of the days of San Andreas in where you can drastically change the appearance of your character to whatever your heart desires.

In Saints Row style, respect is everything as the image you portray is as important as the decisions you make and sometimes requires you sending messages to rival gangs or taking out some of the opposition just to prove a point. There are, however, some let downs in the game like the insufficient choices of voices for both male and female and the unrealistic damage done to vehicles when blasting your way around Stilwater. As engaging as this game is, what’s undoubtedly missing amongst its vibrancy is conclusively that overall polished and cleaner feel that GTA so brilliantly possesses and Saint’s Row 2 so evidently lacks.

Closing Comments

So in closing, we have to ask was the decision to bring Saints Row to other gaming consoles the right one? I would have to say yes, with SR2 being nothing short of exhilaratingly gratifying. As unrealistic as the gameplay may be, you’ll found it to be one that you really just can’t put down. Whilst playing this game I found it to be the most fun I’ve had in a long time, and would thoroughly recommend others to buy Saints Row 2 and with rumours circling of a sequel to SR2 (although not officially confirmed), I’m sure we’re yet to see the best of this series.

Stephanie Grant